Rock Island Today

City of Geneseo City Council met Aug. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Council of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:

COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Bob James, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Martin Rothschild, Council Paula Simosky, Alderman Kent Swanson, and Council Keith Kennett

COUNCIL ABSENT: Council Bob James, Mayor Sean Johnson, Council Martin Rothschild, Council Paula Simosky, Alderman Kent Swanson, and Council Keith Kennett

STAFF PRESENT: Director of Finance Jamie Matthews, Director of IT Garrett Griswold, Attorney Derke Price, Chief of Police Casey Disterhoft, Director of Public Works Chad VandeWoestyne, Director of Electrical Operations Eric Rowold, and City Clerk Paige Seibel

PUBLIC PRESENT:

1 INVOCATION

Led by Alderman Bob James

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4 Chamber of Commerce Report

Chamber Director Sullivan gave his report.

3.1. City Council Chamber Report - 8.13.24

5 City Engineering Report

City Engineer Rains gave his report.

4.1. 08.13.2024 City Engineering Report

6 Public Comment - Agenda Items

City Ordinance allows members of the Public to speak and give input up to 3 minutes during Public Comment, there can be no debate or action by the City Council at this time.

None

7 Mayor's Comments

-04/01/2025 Elections: Petition circulation begins 08/20/24. City Clerk will have packets available for pickup beginning 08/19/24.

Mayor Johnson announced that the terms for the following Aldermen will expire in the Spring of 2025: 1st Ward Alderwoman Simosky, 2nd Ward Alderman James, 3rd Ward Alderman Rothschild, and 4th Ward Alderman Swanson.

He also mentioned that anyone interested in running for these positions can pick up petition packets from City Clerk Seibel at City Hall starting August 19th. The circulation period for these petition packets begins on August 20th.

8 City Council Comments

Alderman Swanson expressed a strong desire to see the pedestrian bridge project move forward, citing safety concerns with the current vehicular bridge near the landing, which is not safe for pedestrians to walk in the right of way.

9 Finance Director Comments

Finance Director Matthews gave the Treasurer's, Budget Report, and Captial Asset report.

Director of Electrical Operations Rowold gave the Electrical Project Summary report. Public Works Director VanDeWoestyne gave the Public Works Summary report.

No further discussion was had.

9.1. Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as Submitted.

Kent Swanson moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and Capital Asset Reports as submitted.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Kent Swanson

SECONDER: Keith Kennett

AYES: Bob James, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and Keith Kennett

ABSENT: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, and James Roodhouse

10 Consent Agenda

10.1. Approval of Previous Minutes

Regular Council - 09 Jul - Minutes

Committee of the Whole - 23 Jul 2024 - Minutes

10.2. Facade Improvement Grant - Central Theater

10.3. R-24-17: Appointment of Dan Schaaf to the Police Pension Board 10.4. Omnibus method

11 Unfinished Business

Items that were requested to be removed from consent agenda.

None

12 Administration

12.1. Intergovernmental Agreement with Henry County - Street Overlay Motion to approve the IGA with Henry County for HMA overlay work for year 2024, using budgeted funds as passed in R-23-24.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Martin Rothschild

SECONDER: Bob James

AYES: Bob James, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and Keith Kennett

ABSENT: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, and James Roodhouse

12.2. Approval of Water Department Vacant Lots RFP Process

The Water Department is selling two vacant lots. With approval from this council meeting, RFP packets will be available at City Hall starting August 14th. Proposals must be submitted to City Hall by 10 AM on September 13, 2024, and bid selection will take place at the City Council Meeting on October 8, 2024.

Keith Kennett moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to approve the RFP process as presented for city owned parcels #0821207002 and #0821207003.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Keith Kennett

SECONDER: Kent Swanson

AYES: Bob James, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and Keith Kennett

ABSENT: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, and James Roodhouse

12.3. R-24-18: Approval of Demolition Permit Process & Fee Schedule Amendments

Mayor Johnson advised the fee structure will now be categorized as follows: $25 for garages, $75 for residential houses, and $100 for commercial/industrial structures. Additionally, the application now includes stricter requirements, such as the need for contractors to use fences, protective barricades, or both when the demolition site is not actively being worked on, etc. Please see the Demo Specifications (Addendum A) for all changes.

Bob James moved, seconded by Paula Simosky, Motion to approve R-24-18.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Bob James

SECONDER: Paula Simosky

AYES: Bob James, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and Keith Kennett

ABSENT: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, and James Roodhouse

13 Payment of City and Utility Bills

13.1. Approval of City bills

No discussion was had.

Paula Simosky moved, seconded by Keith Kennett, Motion to approve the City Bills as presented.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Paula Simosky

SECONDER: Keith Kennett

AYES: Bob James, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and Keith Kennett

ABSENT: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, and James Roodhouse

14 Public Comment - All Other Items

City Ordinance allows members of the Public to speak and give input up to 3 minutes during Public Comment, there can be no debate or action by the City Council at this time.

City Clerk Seibel, speaking on behalf of City Administrator Maeglin (who is out of town for training), reported that City Staff is currently preparing the application for the pedestrian bridge state grant, which is due in late September.

15 Adjournment

14.1. Move to close the meeting

Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm

Martin Rothschild moved, seconded by Kent Swanson, Motion to Adjourn.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Martin Rothschild

SECONDER: Kent Swanson

AYES: Bob James, Martin Rothschild, Paula Simosky, Kent Swanson, and Keith Kennett

ABSENT: Brett Barnhart, Craig Arnold, and James Roodhouse

https://cityofgeneseo.civicweb.net/document/88353/